2009 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,547 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 36 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionSep 16, 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
Campaign 09V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, doorJan 9, 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING 225 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION WELD ON THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIPS AND REMEDIED AT THE FACTORY. NO VEHICLES HAD BEEN RETAILED.
Campaign 09V006000 on NHTSA.gov
WheelsSep 15, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 3,403 MY 2009 ALTIMA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 16-INCH ALLOY WHEELS. SOME THESE WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS COULD CAUSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE LUG NUTS ATTACHING THE WHEEL TO THE VEHICLE TO BECOME LOOSE.
IF THE LUG NUTS BECOME LOOSE, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS EQUIPPED WITH ONE OF THE AFFECTED WHEELS. IF IT IS, THE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES THAT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 08V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 1, 2014
REAR LEFT AND RIGHT DOORS, AND RIGHT FRONT DOOR HAS FAILED DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AND CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY. ELECTRICITY GOES THROUGH THE DOORS, BUT THE ACTUATORS ARE DYSFUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 41,000 MILES ON DATE OF PURCHASE, BUT I AM NOT SURE IF PREVIOUS OWNER LEFT DOORS OPEN OR WINDOWS WIND DOWN, AND IT CAUSED WATER DAMAGE. THE INSPECTION GIVEN BY THE DEALERSHIP IS ACTUALLY DECEPTIVE AS WELL, BECAUSE THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE FAILED INSPECTION. I CAN NOT DRIVE WITH THE DOORS LOCKED BECAUSE BASED ON THE FINDINGS AT THE NISSAN DEALER, THE DOORS MAY BECOME PERMANENTLY LOCKED DUE TO THE DAMAGES OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND LOCK ME INSIDE THE CAR. THE INSPECTOR SHOULD HAVE FAILED THE INSPECTION BASED ON THE DAMAGES OF THE VEHICLE. THE COST OF REPAIRS IS 965.00. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2014
I NOTICE A SHINE STARTED TO BUILD UP ON MY DASHBOARD. I THOUGHT THAT THE CAR WASH PLACE MIGHT HAVE USED TOO MUCH PRODUCT SO I STOPPED GOING TO THE CARWASH. I DECIDED I WAS GOING TO CLEAN IT OFF MYSELF AND WHEN I WENT TO CLEAN IT OFF I REALIZED THERE WAS A THICK FILM OF STICKY RESIDUE. THE RESIDUE IS WAS SO STICKY THAT NOTHING COULD TAKE IT OFF AND EVERYTHING WOULD GET STUCK TO IT. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE FILM KEPT GROWING TO THE POINT WHERE THE SHINE BECAME ALMOST GLASSY AND TOO REFLECTIVE. I REALIZED THE SUBSTANCE HAD BECOME A HAZARD TO MY SAFETY AND THOSE OF OTHERS, SO I PROCEEDED TO TRY A NUMBER OF PRODUCTS TO TRY AND REMOVE THE FILM. I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND PROCEEDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, WHERE I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM, BUT RATHER A FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED NOW WITH BOTH THIS AGENCY AND NISSAN ITSELF. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THERE ARE AT LEAST 100 OTHER CASES. I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 26, 2014
I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM NATIONAL MOTORS ON 12/17/2013. THE SAME DATE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM NATIONAL MOTORS, I NOTICED MY LOCKS DID NOT WORK. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN AND CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY WITH MY KEY WHILE THE OTHER THREE DOORS ARE NONRESPONSIVE. I CONTACTED [XXX], A CAR SALES MAN AND WAS TOLD MY LOCKS WOULD BE FIXED ONCE THE LOCKS WERE ORDERED. THEY WOULD FIX MY TAIL LIGHT AND THE LOCKS. IN JANUARY, [XXX] ADVISED THAT THE LOCKS WERE ON BACK ORDER BUT SHOULD ARRIVE WITHIN ANOTHER TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CALL.I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP EVERY WEEK FOR A STATUS UPDATE ON THE LOCKS AND CONTINUED TO GET THE RUN AROUND. [XXX] STATED SOMEONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CALL ME IN REGARDS TO THE LOCKS ON 2/13/14 AFTER STATING "HE WAS NO LONGER DEALING WITH THIS ANYMORE". NO ONE CALLED. LAST WEEK, 2/18-2/20 I WAS ADVISED BY [XXX] THAT THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP, [XXX], DECIDED TO NO LONGER FIX MY LOCKS. [XXX] STATED THAT THE LOCKS WERE ORDERED AND [XXX] RETURNED THE LOCKS TO THE WAREHOUSE STATING THAT HE WAS NO LONGER GOING TO REPAIR THE DOORS. MY FATHER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/21/14 AND JOHN ADVISED THAT I GO TO MY LOCAL BEST BUY TO GET A REMOTE SENSOR. ON 2/22/14 I WAS TOLD BY A BEST BUY INSTALLER THAT THE SENSOR WOULD NOT FIX THE LOCKS BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. SINCE THE KEY OPENS ONE OF THE DOORS, THE INSTALLER STATED THAT THE REMOTE SENSOR IS NOT THE ISSUE. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DOORS. JOHN HAMMER THEN STATED TO ME AND THE INSTALLER OF BEST BUY THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE DOOR PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE AND STILL DECIDED TO SELL THE CAR TO ME. THIS SAME DAY, THE BEST BUY INSTALLER CONTACTED JOHN AND TOLD HIM THAT THE LOCKS WOULD NOT BE FIXED BY BEST BUY. JOHN TOLD ME TO COME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TRADE THE CAR BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE LOCKS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2014
MY VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND THE DASH IS COMPLETELY MELTING. THE GLARE FROM THE MUSHY, STICKY MESS ON THE DASHBOARD MAKES IT VERY HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THIS IS POOR CRAFTMANSHIP. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 5, 2014
WELL I HAVE A BLACK 09 NISSAN ALTIMA AND I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY AND SHINY AND IT LOOKS LIKE ITS MELTING. THERE IS SUCH A BIG GLARE THAT BLOCKS YOUR VIEW WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING. I LOOK ONLINE AND SAW THAT OTHER PEOPLE IN FLORIDA HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I DO. IN FLORIDA THE WEATHER IS ALWAYS HOT. THE CARS IN FLORIDA SHOULD BE MADE TO WITHSTAND THE HOT WEATHER AND NOT START MELTING. THIS IS SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2014
THE DASH ON MY ALTIMA COUPE IS "MELTING". THE DASH HAS NEVER BEEN CLEANED WITH ANY CHEMICALS AND IS VERY TACKY TO THE TOUCH AROUND THE VENTS AND SEAMS. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE MELTED COMPONENTS, IT CREATES A VERY BLINDING GLARE THAT IMPAIRS MY FORWARD VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME ALTHOUGH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. NISSAN HAS ALREADY HAD A REPLACEMENT DASH MADE WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS WHICH USES A DIFFERENT PART # THAN THE ORIGINAL DASH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AS I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS DUE TO BEING BLINDED BY THE GLARE. *TR
Structure, Jan 21, 2014
WE HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH LESS THAN 3500K MILES. WE USE A SUN SHADE AND WE TRY TO LIMIT SUN EXPOSURE. THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSES A MAJOR REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE IT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. THE WINDOWS KEEP FILMING UP FROM THE OFF-GASSING PRODUCED WHICH CANNOT BE HEALTHY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Jul 19, 2013
MILDEW IN AIR CONDITION. TERRIBLE SMELL COMING FROM VENTS. BURNS YOUR EYES AND GIVES TERRIBLE MIGRAINES. CHANGED 3 CABIN AIR FILTERS AND USED MULTIPLE CANS OF MILDEW REMOVAL. PLEASE HELP. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS? *TR
Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2013, fire
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STUTTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGIN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND GOT OUT THE CAR. FLAMES BEGIN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WE SPOKE TO THE FIRE MARSHALL ([XXX]) WHO STATED THE FIRE STARTED FROM MID ENGINE LINE. AND MORE THAN LIKELY THE CAR WAS ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility, Structure, Mar 20, 2013
DRIVING ON STREET WHEN MOONROOF SHATTERED. NO APPARENT CAUSE DETERMINED, BUT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. BREAK OF MOONROOF SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS GOING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COVERED IN GLASS, BUT NO INJURIES. HOWEVER, ROOF AND TRUNK HAD PAINT DAMAGE FROM BROKEN GLASS. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Structure, Jan 21, 2013
INTELLI KEY INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING TWO DAYS AGO. LAST EVENING AFTER DINNER VEHICLE WOULD NOT SWITCH OUT OF "LOCK" STRANDED IN 15 DEGREE TEMPS WAITING FOR TOW FOR 2 HOURS. NISSAN SERVICE ADVISOR KNEW EXACTLY WHAT PROBLEM WAS. HE CALLED ME LATER TONIGHT TO CONFIRM ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDED REPLACING. $800.00+. NISSAN SURELY WILL RECALL "FAULTY" DOOR HANDLE SPRINGS AT .50 CENTS A WHACK, BUT GIVE ME A BREAK. IT'S TIME NISSAN OWN UP TO THE NUMEROUS 2009'S THAT ARE HAVING THIS PART FAIL. *TR
Structure, Dec 12, 2011
11/29/11 I PURCHASED THE CARE ON 12/9/11 AFTER A HEAVY DOWN POUR OF RAIN I WENT TO GET IN THE CAR UPON CLOSING THE DOOR I HEARD WATER MOVING AROUND AS I DROVE IT BECAME CLEAR IT WAS WATER. EACH STOP THERE WAS A SOUND OF WATER UPON REACHING WORK THE SOUND WAS FAINT AFTER THE WORK DAY ENDED THERE WAS A PUDDLE UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR. IT HASN'T RAINED SINCE THANK GOD WOULD THIS BE PART OF A RECALL. *TR
Structure, Equipment, Feb 1, 2011
I HAVE A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH JUST OVER 13000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT ABOUT 65 MPH I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST OVER MY HEAD. THE SUNROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED (MORE LIKE EXPLODED) LEAVING ABOUT A 2 FOOT CIRCULAR HOLE IN THE GLASS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMETHING MUST HAVE HIT ME BUT WHEN I PULLED OVER I COULD OBVIOUSLY SEE THAT THE GLASS WAS MUSHROOMED OUT AS IF IT HAD EXPLODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT, NOT PUSHED IN. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY NISSAN DEALER AND THEY AGREED THAT THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING HAD HIT THE GLASS AND THAT IT HAD SIMPLY SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THEY ALSO POINTED OUT CHIPS IN THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND TRUNK LID CAUSED BY THE PIECES OF BROKEN GLASS. AFTER FIRST DENYING ANY COVERAGE, NISSAN NOW HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR THE NEW GLASS AS A "GOODWILL REPAIR" BUT THEY STILL REFUSE TO PAY FOR INSTALLATION OR THE PAINT DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE INSTALLATION AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS COVERING THE $2500 OF PAINT DAMAGE. I DID CONTACT NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO APPEAL THEIR DECISION BUT WAS VERY CURTLY DENIED AGAIN. *LN
Structure, Mar 16, 2010
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THAT ANY TIME THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR LEVER WAS ENGAGED IN AN UPWARD POSITION TO ACTIVATE, THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATION OCCURRED. THE TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR LEVER INCLUDES THE FUNCTION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE VEHILCE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,000. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN UPDATED 06/04/10
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, Feb 22, 2010
AT REGULAR DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED AT 7500 MILES (WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 47 MPH ON THE 5 FREEWAY SOUTHBOUND). TUSTIN NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOUND ALL 4 ROTORS WARPED AND BRAKES DEFECTIVE. REPLACED ALL ROTORS AND ALL BRAKES. ALSO DEFECTIVE: DRIVER'S SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR (REPLACED AT 8000 MILES), PAINT TRIM PEELING (UPON NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY). *TR